Pakistan has permitted Taiwan's China Airlines and EVA Air to traverse its airspace again, overturning a ban only hours after it was reported.
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) issued permission for the two carriers to use Pakistani airspace from October 28, 2026, to March 27, 2027, Bloomberg said, referencing documents dated October 28.
U-Turn Came Hours After Ban Was Reported
The green light arrived the same day news broke that Pakistan had shut its airspace to Taiwanese airlines in line with its One-China policy.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had earlier stated the aviation division adheres to the One-China policy and that only mainland Chinese airlines were allowed to fly over Pakistan.
Flights Had Been Rerouted Over Russia
Flightradar24 data shows both airlines ceased flying over Pakistan from the morning of October 25. Since then, at least a dozen flights linking Asia and Europe were diverted over Russia, increasing travel time and fuel expenses.
Although Taiwanese airlines have avoided Russian airspace since February 2022, they were never formally prohibited from using it. On October 24, the two carriers operated 14 flights over Pakistan.
The restriction exceeded Beijing's own rules, as mainland China still permits Taiwanese carriers to use its airspace.
Pakistan's airspace continues to be closed to Indian airlines, a ban the government recently extended until November 24.
